Good afternoon. I own a 1998 E150 van,4.2l v6,E4OD tranny.In the last 2 weeks I have replaced all tie rod ends,power steering pump,hoses and steering gearbox.Last week the temp never got above 15 degrees and I developed a loud squeal coming from the left side ball joints turning in both directions.These ball joints were replaced 13 months ago.(1 year warranty-go figure). These ball joints do not have grease fittings so I have no way to force grease into them.I have tried a needle grease fitting but to no avail.Reading through this forum I do not see any discussion on installing fittings in steering joints. It would seem to me that with the correct size drill bit and careful drilling I should be able to drill a hole in the end cap and thread a fitting into this.Has anyone tried this and with what success? Or am I asking for trouble? Thanks for any and help in advance.

 

If they are sealed tie rod ends, I would try to drill some in. I have read on this forum that some folks have gotten a syringe and needle set up from the parts store, put grease in the rubbler seal, and then covered the hole with silicone.

 

Thanks 1081 for the reply. I will try a syringe,that would probably be better than the needle fitting I tried. Worse case I put new ones in,with grease fittings!

 

I drilled and tapped the lower ball joints on my 99 F-350 and installed grease fittings. Be sure to put grease on the drill bit and the thread tap to help catch the shavings. Before I installed the grease fittings I noticed the steering was just a little stiff to return but since I installed the fittings and greased the joints problem has gone away. I will eventually have to replace the upper and lower ball joints and when I do they will be with ones that have the grease fitting. NAPA sells them but maybe Fomoco does now as well.

John

 

What I have found on greaseable joints the ball has grooves ground on them to allow grease to get by the ball and fill the grease sack. With nongreaseable joints the ball groove is not there so you'll have to compress the joint or dislocate the ball from its socket to allow grease to pass by and fill the sack. I use a welders Vise-Grip for aligning tube after the fingers have been rebent to compress (dislocate) the joint. To just add grease, none will get by the ball, adding more pressure or a air/grease gun will blow out the swaged cap. been doing this over 30 years over 1,000,000 miles with very few joint replacenents. Like they say "lifetime" what, lifetime of the joint?
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You can use a horse needle (available from a tack shop) to inject blue wheel bearing grease if you have to. Plus, they double as ink cartridge refillers.

 

There're some people that need a horse needle in their rear as well a cow magnet and cell phones. Do they sell 'em to the public as in Kalifornia where there's a needle ban?
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I drilled and tapped my tie rod ends on my 65 Mustang for grease fittings. It was very easy.